English including phonics

English at Norton Juxta Kempsey CE Primary School

With the love and joy of God, we will discover, develop and maximise our unique potential.

At Norton Juxta Kempsey CE Primary School (NJK), we place language, reading, writing and oracy at the heart of our curriculum. Our aim is to equip pupils with a strong command of spoken and written language and to nurture a lifelong love of literature. This reflects the National Curriculum’s overarching aim and aligns closely with The Reading Framework (2023), The Writing Framework (2024), Strong Foundations in the Early Years and the new Ofsted Framework (2025).

Oracy and Vocabulary

From the earliest stages, children experience language-rich environments where talk is valued as a vital tool for learning. High-quality interactions, drama, story time, structured talk routines and the Talk for Writing approach are woven throughout the curriculum. These experiences help children develop a wide vocabulary, articulate ideas clearly, reason effectively, and engage confidently in discussion, debate and presentation. Strong oracy underpins reading comprehension and writing success, and is deliberately taught and modelled in every classroom.

Reading

Early reading is taught through systematic synthetic phonics using Read Write Inc., ensuring all children develop accuracy, fluency and confidence when reading unfamiliar words. Decodable books are precisely matched to pupils’ phonic knowledge and are read repeatedly to secure fluency and prosody, in line with The Reading Framework. Children regularly read aloud to adults, gaining confidence and expression through practice.

Reading for pleasure is central to our culture. A vibrant school library, managed by pupil librarians, offers a wide range of high-quality texts to inspire every reader. In KS2 our Accelerated Reader system allows us to track reading patterns and tailor support for both reluctant and enthusiastic readers. Children are encouraged to read widely at home and at school, supported by clear communication with parents.

Writing

Writing is taught within vocabulary-rich, text-based contexts, supported by the Talk for Writing process. Classrooms feature well-organised working walls with model texts, story maps, WAGOLLs and genre-specific vocabulary. Sequences of learning are responsive to prior knowledge and informed by assessment, enabling teachers to target support and stretch appropriately.

Guided by The Writing Framework (2024), pupils develop strong transcriptional skills through explicit teaching of spelling (Spelling Shed), handwriting  (Letter Join) and dictation exercises. Regular opportunities to practise and apply these skills across a range of contexts ensure children write clearly, accurately and with increasing sophistication. Feedback—both oral and written—supports children in improving their work. The editing process helps develop resilience as writers.

Inclusion and High Expectations

All children, including those who are disadvantaged or have SEND, receive timely, targeted support to keep up and make strong progress. Assessment is used diagnostically to inform teaching and intervention. Parents are provided with clear information about their child’s progress and practical guidance to help them support learning at home.

A Love of Language and Literature

Love is a core value at NJK, and our love of language and literature is evident across the school. By the end of their time with us, pupils leave as confident speakers, fluent readers and capable writers—ready to thrive in the next stage of their education and beyond.